Targeting intracellular signaling as an antiviral strategy: aerosolized LASAG for the treatment of influenza in hospitalized patients

Influenza has been a long-running health problem and novel antiviral drugs are urgently needed. In pre-clinical studies, we demonstrated broad antiviral activity of D, L-lysine-acetylsalicylate glycine (LASAG) against influenza virus (IV) in cell culture and protection against lethal challenge in mice. LASAG is a compound with a new antiviral mode of action. It inhibits the NF-κB signal transduction module that is essential for IV replication. Our goal was to determine whether aerosolized LASAG would also show a therapeutic benefit in hospitalized patients suffering from severe influenza. The primary endpoint was time to alleviation of clinical influenza symptoms. The primary analysis was based on the modified intention-to-treat (MITT) population. This included all patients with confirmed influenza virus infection who received at least one treatment. The per protocol (PP) analysis set included all subjects from the MITT population who underwent at least 13 inhalations. In the MITT group, 48 (41.7%) participants (29 LASAG; 19 placebo) had severe influenza. The mean time to symptom alleviation was 56.2 h in the placebo group and 43.0 h in the LASAG group. The PP set consisted of 41 patients (24 LASAG; 17 placebo). The mean time to symptom alleviation in the LASAG group (38.3 h; P = 0.0365) was lower than that in the placebo group (56.2 h). In conclusion, LASAG improved the time to alleviation of influenza symptoms in hospitalized patients. The present phase II proof-of-concept (PoC) study demonstrates that targeting an intra-cellular signaling pathway using aerosolized LASAG improves the time to symptom alleviation compared to standard treatment.

Pharmacodynamics, Pharmacokinetics, and Antiviral Activity of BAY 81-8781, a Novel NF-κB Inhibiting Anti-influenza Drug

Influenza is a respiratory disease that causes annual epidemics. Antiviral treatment options targeting the virus exist, but their efficiency is limited and influenza virus strains easily develop resistance. Thus, new treatment strategies are urgently needed. In the present study, we investigated the anti-influenza virus properties of D,L-lysine acetylsalicylate ⋅ glycine (BAY 81-8781; LASAG) that is approved as Aspirin i.v. for intravenous application. Instead of targeting the virus directly BAY 81-8781 inhibits the activation of the NF-κB pathway, which is required for efficient influenza virus propagation. Using highly pathogenic avian influenza virus strains we could demonstrate that BAY 81-8781 was able to control influenza virus infection in vitro. In the mouse infection model, inhalation of BAY 81-8781 resulted in reduced lung virus titers and protection of mice from lethal infection. Pharmacological studies demonstrated that the oral route of administration was not suitable to reach the sufficient concentrations of BAY 81-8781 for a successful antiviral effect in the lung. BAY 81-8781 treatment of mice infected with influenza virus started as late as 48 h after infection was still effective in protecting 50% of the animals from death. In summary, the data represent a successful proof of the novel innovative antiviral concept of targeting a host cell signaling pathway that is required for viral propagation instead of viral structures.

Nebulised budesonide using a novel device in patients with oral steroid-dependent asthma

This phase 2/3 randomised, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial investigated oral corticosteroid (OCS)-sparing efficacy, safety and tolerability of nebulised budesonide (Bud) administered with a novel computer-controlled, compressor-driven inhalation system (AKITA) as add-on therapy to Global Initiative for Asthma step 5. Patients (18-65 years) with OCS-dependent asthma were randomised (2:1:1:1) to receive 18-week, twice-daily, double-blind treatment with AKITA inhaled corticosteroid (AICS)-Bud 1 mg, AICS-Bud 0.5 mg, AICS-placebo or open-label Bud 1 mg administered by conventional nebuliser (CN-Bud). OCS doses were tapered until week 14. 199 patients started treatment. More AICS-Bud 1 mg (80.0%) than placebo-treated (62.5%) patients had daily OCS doses reduced ≥50%, with clinical stability to week 18 (one-sided p=0.02; treatment difference: 17.5% (95% CI 0.1-34.9%), two-sided p=0.04). Mean±sd forced expiratory volume in 1 s improved (from baseline to week 18) for AICS-Bud 1 mg (239±460 mL, p<0.001) and AICS-Bud 0.5 mg (126±345 mL, p=0.01) but not placebo (93±419 mL, p=0.36) or CN-Bud (137±459 mL, p=0.18). Fewer AICS-Bud 1 mg-treated patients experienced asthma exacerbations (7.5%) compared with placebo (17.5%) or CN-Bud (22.5%). All treatments were well tolerated. Budesonide applied with AKITA allowed significant meaningful OCS reduction in OCS-dependent asthma patients while improving pulmonary function and maintaining exacerbation control.

Modes of action of the new arylguanidine abafungin beyond interference with ergosterol biosynthesis and in vitro activity against medically important fungi

BACKGROUND

In contrast to the increasing numbers of agents for the treatment of invasive fungal infections, discoveries of new antifungal agents with therapeutic value in dermatomycoses are reported only rarely.

METHODS

Abafungin (chemical abstracts service registry No. 129639-79/8) is the first member of a novel class of synthetic antifungal compounds, the arylguanidines. It was first synthesized at Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany, and its antifungal action was discovered during the screening of H(2)-receptor antagonists based on the structure of famotidine. To obtain insight into its mode of action and antifungal activity, various tests were carried out with different fungal pathogens in vitro.

RESULTS

Abafungin was found to have potent antifungal activity. Furthermore, mode-of-action studies suggested that abafungin exerts its antifungal activity regardless of whether the pathogens are growing or in a resting state. One target of abafungin was found to be the inhibition of transmethylation at the C-24 position of the sterol side chain, catalyzed by the enzyme sterol-C-24-methyltransferase. A second action of abafungin seems to be a direct effect on the fungal cell membrane.

CONCLUSION

The observed characteristics of abafungin indicate that abafungin might be a promising antifungal agent defining a new class of antimycotics.